How much should you tip when dining out?

[ShoeDiva]

By Clark Howard

What do you think is an appropriate tip when you're out for a meal at a restaurant?

USA Today recently ran a story asking, is 25% the new normal for tipping? Many people still do the old thing of 15%. Still others have kicked it up a notch to 18%.

There's now something called tip creep. People think it's 25%. Servers expect 25% in many cities.

http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-howard/shopping-retail/how-much-should-you-tip-when-dining-out/nSb3J/



I usually start at 20% and go up or down from there, based on service and if I get to chatting and spend a long time at their table.

 

[stradial]

By Clark Howard

What do you think is an appropriate tip when you're out for a meal at a restaurant?

USA Today recently ran a story asking, is 25% the new normal for tipping? Many people still do the old thing of 15%. Still others have kicked it up a notch to 18%.

There's now something called tip creep. People think it's 25%. Servers expect 25% in many cities.

http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-howard/shopping-retail/how-much-should-you-tip-when-dining-out/nSb3J/



I usually start at 20% and go up or down from there, based on service and if I get to chatting and spend a long time at their table.

That is my basic plan also, however it also depends on the time of day and how much effort had to be put into waiting on me.
Example; lunch w/buffet where all they had to do was bring my drink, 10%-15%

 

[unionmom]

By Clark Howard

What do you think is an appropriate tip when you're out for a meal at a restaurant?

USA Today recently ran a story asking, is 25% the new normal for tipping? Many people still do the old thing of 15%. Still others have kicked it up a notch to 18%.

There's now something called tip creep. People think it's 25%. Servers expect 25% in many cities.

http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-howard/shopping-retail/how-much-should-you-tip-when-dining-out/nSb3J/



I usually start at 20% and go up or down from there, based on service and if I get to chatting and spend a long time at their table.

That is my basic plan also, however it also depends on the time of day and how much effort had to be put into waiting on me.
Example; lunch w/buffet where all they had to do was bring my drink, 10%-15%

I agree with both of you.

 

[deewee]

How much should you tip when dining out?

By Clark Howard

What do you think is an appropriate tip when you're out for a meal at a restaurant?

USA Today recently ran a story asking, is 25% the new normal for tipping? Many people still do the old thing of 15%. Still others have kicked it up a notch to 18%.

There's now something called tip creep. People think it's 25%. Servers expect 25% in many cities.

http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-howard/shopping-retail/how-much-should-you-tip-when-dining-out/nSb3J/



I usually start at 20% and go up or down from there, based on service and if I get to chatting and spend a long time at their table.

Those are my guidelines too.

 

[Guard Dad]

20% if they do a "good" job. I will go more when service is excellent and less when it rates below satisfactory.

I typically compensate people well when they deserve it. But frankly, a lot of the wait staff at the chain restaurants tend to be mediocre. Most of them would not rate 25%.

 

[deewee]

How much should you tip when dining out?

20% if they do a "good" job. I will go more when service is excellent and less when it rates below satisfactory.

I typically compensate people well when they deserve it. But frankly, a lot of the wait staff at the chain restaurants tend to be mediocre. Most of them would not rate 25%.

I haven't had a server in a very long time that I'd give 25%. If tips are gonna be kicked up a notch, then the service I receive better be kicked up a notch too.

 

[Madea]

What I'm still asking is this. Years ago the standard was 10%, then it went 15%, now 20%, now a push to bump to 25%. Who decided this? Quite frankly, service has to be very good to get 20% or above. And I will go above 20%, but only for someone who's gone above for me.

 

[stradial]

What I'm still asking is this. Years ago the standard was 10%, then it went 15%, now 20%, now a push to bump to 25%. Who decided this? Quite frankly, service has to be very good to get 20% or above. And I will go above 20%, but only for someone who's gone above for me.

Like the old saying goes. 'follow the money', and I think you will get your answer.

I have changed my mind and now think that we should follow all "new standards", without thinking or questioning.
I read today where there is a new standard concerning posting on these type of boards.
The new rule of thumb is that posters with the name 'stradial' should be paid $1 per post.
Please follow the new guidlines.

 

[Guard Dad]

What I'm still asking is this. Years ago the standard was 10%, then it went 15%, now 20%, now a push to bump to 25%. Who decided this? Quite frankly, service has to be very good to get 20% or above. And I will go above 20%, but only for someone who's gone above for me.

I was thinking the same, and also wondering why they should get a 5% or more increase during a time when most of us have seen / are seeing flat or declining wages?

They need to be careful in this political climate or people might push back.

 

[LisaC]

I always tip between 15-20%. If I'm not happy with the service, I will still tip, but I also complain to the manager.

 

[naturegirl]

I usually do 20%, however I sometimes do more. Particularly if I'm just stopping for coffee and my bill is only a couple dollars, I will leave a dollar not 20%. Lunch usually runs $6-7, I tend to over tip at lunch because the bill is lower. Restaurants that bring me drinks get 15%. Too many times I've seen people walk out of those places without leaving a tip. If someone is refilling your drink and clearing the table as you eat, they deserve a tip. Anytime someone waits on me or cleans up after me deserves a tip.

When my kids were little, if they left a mess under the chair, I always tipped extra.

 

[ShoeDiva]

20% if they do a "good" job. I will go more when service is excellent and less when it rates below satisfactory.

I typically compensate people well when they deserve it. But frankly, a lot of the wait staff at the chain restaurants tend to be mediocre. Most of them would not rate 25%.

True.

I have found that the smaller places are pretty fantastic when it comes to service. As many of you know, my husband and I frequent a local place all the time. The owner always stops to chat with me and the staff brings our drinks as we are headed toward "our" table. Our drinks are always filled, they know our names, ask about our son, and make our weekly trip something to look forward to. Our waiter always receives a large tip.

Now to why the tips have gone up over the years? I do not know except that everything has gone up!